FRENCH DISASTER

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 270, 9 July 1932, Page 5

FRENCH DISASTER

fPress Assn.-

ONLY FIVE SURVIVORS IN CREW OF 73 cause unexplained

-By Telegrapli — Copyright)

CHERBOURG, Friday. Sixfcy-six were drowned when the French submarine Prpmothee, 1379 tons, which wa? launched in 1930, ?ank suddenly in 150 feet pf water while performing surface tests ,in the roadstead seven miles north of Cape Levi. Five of the crew, including two officers, who Were flung into the sea, were rescued hy boats which hurried to the scene of the disaster. The Promothee, in addition to her complement of 56, carried 17 workmen and engineers. The Ministry of Marine announces that the cause of the accident has not yetdbeen determined. The authorities have sent every available vessel to locate the submarine. An aeroplane is assisting in the operation, which is difficult owing to the strong current. The sinking of the submarine was reminiscent of the loss of the M2. The experts aboard included a Government engineer, two officials seyen workmen, a Cherbourg dockyard engineer, and six workmen belonging to the armament firm of Schneiders who were attending the trials after prolonged alterations. A naval authority expresses the opinion in the absence of any other explanation, that the fact that five men were thrown clear including the commander (Lieutenant Du Mesnil) indicated that they were on the bridge and that the vessel sank without warning, possibly owing to the tanks for some unknown reason being flooded, trapping everyone below.